Director Of Annual Giving Operations

Transylvania University, a private liberal arts college, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Annual Giving Operations. Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, Transylvania University features a personalized approach to undergraduate education through 46 liberal arts majors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country with approximately 1,000 students.

The Director of Annual Giving Operations is responsible for successfully directing, organizing, managing, and evaluating the annual giving program, focusing on unrestricted and restricted operating initiatives. The position also develops and manages young alumni donor engagement and assists the Director of Leadership Annual Giving in donor pipeline development.

A Bachelor's Degree is required. Previous fundraising experience is preferred but not required. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary. Must be able to project a strong positive image of the University and be able to motivate people. Attendance at evening/weekend activities required.

Essential Duties:

• Strategically create and direct solicitation efforts for annual and restricted operating elements of the development program, including monitoring progress and achieving goals.

• Lead all direct mail appeal efforts. This includes working with staff to assess correct target audience and goals to drive donor participation and gift income numbers. Instruct office writer on best messaging for annual appeals going to specific constituencies. Determine best modes of creation, production and mailing of these pieces. Work with Communications and Marketing Office on direct mail creation for some appeals.

• Plan and set goals and evaluative methods for student phonathon solicitation program. Strategically align calling efforts with best practices and constant assessment for productivity. Hire, train and supervise student phonathon managers for both fall and spring phonathons. File caller timesheets for payroll in timely and effective manner. Supervise managers in conducting semesterly caller job reviews. Handle all calling logistics.

• Develop, lead and assess Transylvania's day of giving, called Together for Transy, annually. This includes website creation, use of third-party software to create and operate in real-time progress toward multiple goals, promotion of the day both on and off campus, and myriad other important factors of Transy's single largest giving day.

• Work with Director of Advancement Services and Vice President for Advancement to create and develop new solicitation modes of texting and cryptocurrency acceptance.

• Create and oversee the annual Senior Challenge donor program through recruitment of chairs and committee members, as well as goal establishment. Assist student co-chairs with logistical and informational needs, as well as needed communications to the senior class. Attend all Senior Challenge fundraising events.

• Develop and execute new initiatives for young alumni donor engagement program to enhance alumni participation rate.

• Work with Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to ensure timely and coordinated donor relations and development-focused social media posts. Decide upon recipient targets and messaging for development posts.

• Work with Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to create and execute Reunion Giving appeal plans.

• Learn usage of CRM database to work with Director of Advancement Services on ensuring correct appeal list-pulls and other reports to reflect giving progress.

Secondary Duties:

• Provide support to the Advancement Office as needed to help fulfill University's mission.

• Assist with execution of Alumni Weekend activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and recognizes the value of historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that enrich the university's environment for colleagues and students alike. We are committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community and encourage all who are interested to apply.

To begin the application process, submit your cover letter to the attention of Kara Covert, VP, Advancement, stating your qualifications and interest and clicking the "Apply For This Position" button below. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by July 19, 2024.